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Berlinale Winners' Trophies: The Future of the Festival Is More Uncertain Than Ever

Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images

This document leaves nothing to be desired in terms of clarity. 130 filmmakers from all over the world have signed an open letter sharply criticising the behaviour of Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth. This is reported by the US industry journal »Variety«. A few days ago, it became known that the contract of artistic director Carlo Chatrian would not be extended, apparently contrary to promises to the contrary.

Last Thursday, the responsible supervisory board of the Federal Cultural Events (KBB) agreed to return to the original directorship model. Since 2019, there had been a dual leadership with Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbek as managing directors. Rissenbek had already announced in the past that she wanted to give up her post.

In the open letter, the artists advocate that Chatrian's contract be extended. He is not necessarily a showman, but in his quiet manner he and his team have taken an open and artistically enriching curatorial path.

The letter does not skimp on criticism of Minister of State for Culture Roth. The first sentence reads: "We, a diverse group of filmmakers from all over the world who have deep respect for the Berlinale as a place for great cinema of all kinds, protest against the harmful, unprofessional and immoral behaviour of Minister of State Claudia Roth, who is forcing the esteemed artistic director Carlo Chatrian to resign even though she had promised to extend his contract."

Among the signatories are Martin Scorsese, Olivier Assayas and Joanna Hogg, from Germany Angela Schanelec and Christoph Hochhäusler, among others. Chatrian told Variety that he had a meeting with Roth in March, where it was decided that his contract would be extended. The decision that has now been made is a big surprise for him.

In July, it became known that the Berlinale would be subjected to an austerity course. From 2024 onwards, significantly fewer films will be shown, series for young German talent and for series will be cancelled, and other sections will be merged.

KAE